Extracted from Taxidermy Art by Robert Marbury (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Illustrations by Teagan White. Photographs by Robert Marbury
After years gathering dust in the attack of ‘bad taste,’ taxidermy – the art, or craft, of stuffing of dead animals – is finally coming back into vogue. And it’s not just for aristocrats and psychopathic motel owners either. Artists, too, are getting in on the act, with taxidermy becoming the medium for some truly arresting and, dare we say, haunting works.
Ophelia by
Photo: Robert Marbury
Some of the best of these are collected in a new book called Taxidermy Art, compiled by Robert Marbury, the director and cofounder of the Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists.
Fixed Fawn, by Lisa Black. Photo: Daniel Gordon
Subtitled ‘A Rogue’s Guide to the Work, the Culture, and How to do it Yourself, the book is packed with sinister, macabre, playful and often downright weird examples of taxidermy art, which sit alongside handy chapters that will tell you everything you need to know about taxidermy – should you fancy having a go at it yourself.
Pray, by Kate Clark. Photo by Robert Marbury
Operation Foxtrot, by Rod McRae. Photo: Robert Marbury
Untitled, by Peter Gronquist. Photo: Robert Marbury
